Science is Key to Reducing Agricultural Emissions

Media Release
17 December 2009

Science is the Key to Reducing Agricultural Emissions

The New Zealand-led alliance of countries committing research funding to reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions is great news for New Zealand and for the global search for solutions that actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“The reality is that rather than the current proliferation of poorly designed cap and trade systems, science and technology are the real keys to solving the greenhouse gas emissions challenge, and this initiative plays to New Zealand’s research strengths,” said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

“Agriculture is a major source of emissions globally. But for New Zealand and many developed countries it is the major source of emissions. Progress in this space is therefore critical for New Zealand and many developing economies.

“Finding a way to reduce agricultural emissions without reducing food production is also important for world food security and climate change.

“This is a good example of trans-national cooperation with a number of countries pooling their expertise to solve a global problem. New Zealand going it alone would be less likely to produce results and it runs against the grain of what this global issue is all about.

“It is increasingly likely that this will be one of the few concrete initiatives to come from Copenhagen and so John Key and Tim Groser deserve full congratulations for the leadership they have shown in delivering this outcome,” Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS